Hiland Government Unit 2 (Chapters 3 and 4)

act of admission

a congressional act admitting a new state to the union; irreversible

Article II

the executive article that establishes the powers of the president

bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

bill

a proposed law

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

Cabinet

group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions or mandatory testing.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

commerce power

the power of Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

conference committee

special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

Constitutionalism

Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law; also called limited government

deficit financing

practice of funding government by borrowing to make up the difference between government spending and revenue

delegated powers

Those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the National Government by the Constitution

delegates

members of Congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Enabling Act

A congressional act directing the people of a United States territory to frame a proposed State constitution as a step towards admission to the Union

exclusive powers

powers that can be exercised by the national government alone; the states cannot use them

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

expressed powers

powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution; also called "enumerated powers"

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

formal amendment

change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution

Gerrymandered

the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group

Impeach

To formally charge a public official, including but not limited to the president, with misconduct in office

implied powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

incumbent

the current officeholder

inherent powers

The powers of the national government in that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and restricted by a constitution; also called constitutionalism

majority leader

the legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate

Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

oversight function

The power of Congress to review the policies and programs of the executive branch

pigeonhole

To set a bill aside by a committee without considering it

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Power of the Purse

The influence that legislatures have over public policy because of their power to vote money for public purposes.

President of the Senate

Vice President of the United States; has the authority to break ties

Reapportionment

the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census

reserved powers

powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states; found in the 10th amendment

Rider

A provision attached to a bill - to which it may or may not be related - in order to secure its passage or defeat.

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

single-member district

electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office

standing committee

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

term

two-year period of time during which Congress meets

treaty

in the United States, a formal agreement between the United States and another country that is signed by the president and ratified by 2/3 vote in the Senate

trustee

A legislator who acts according to her or his conscience and the broad interests of the entire society.

Veto

president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress